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Health and Safety Information 122
have any questions about using your wireless phone with
such a device, consult your health care provider.
For more information see:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
FCC Hearing-Aid Compatibility
(HAC) Regulations for Wireless
Devices
On July 10, 2003, the U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Report and Order in WT Docket 01-
309 modified the exception of wireless phones under
the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) to
require digital wireless phones be compatible with
hearing-aids.
The intent of the HAC Act is to ensure reasonable
access to telecommunications services for persons
with hearing disabilities.
While some wireless phones are used near some
hearing devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants),
users may detect a buzzing, humming, or whining
noise. Some hearing devices are more immune than
others to this interference noise, and phones also vary
in the amount of interference they generate.
The wireless telephone industry has developed a
rating system for wireless phones, to assist hearing
device users find phones that may be compatible with
their hearing devices. Not all phones have been rated.
Phones that are rated have the rating on their box or a
label located on the box.
The ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary
depending on the user's hearing device and hearing
loss. If your hearing device happens to be vulnerable
to interference, you may not be able to use a rated
phone successfully. Trying out the phone with your
hearing device is the best way to evaluate it for your
personal needs.
M-Ratings
: Phones rated M3 or M4 meet FCC
requirements and are likely to generate less
interference to hearing devices than phones that are
not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.